Full disclosure- Welcome Home to the Fox Valley is mostly a Real Estate blog but it is also about all things Fox Valley. I not only sell real estate, but I sell our community and neighborhoods. Welcome Home to the Fox Valley focuses on why we should chose to live in an area that features frigid winters and beautiful, short summers.

Raising children is the most important and hardest job you will ever have in your life. I often see posts on Facebook from Mom’s experiencing difficult times. Their little ones are driving them crazy, they need a break, and they are either single or their significant other is out of town or working several jobs. While commiserating on Facebook with other Mom’s allows venting, there is free help right in our community. B.A.B.E.S, Inc. offers free respite care and counseling for young parents up to the age of 27 in order to help prevent child abuse before it happens.

The mission of B.A.B.E.S., Inc. is committed to the prevention of child abuse and neglect by providing safe no-cost respite care, educational support and services, and counseling to young families. Many young parents lack support from family because of our mobile society, or their families’ are just too busy to help. Asking for help doesn’t make you a lesser parent. B.A.B.E.S, Inc doesn’t judge who you are or your economic status, they just want to help. For instance, B.AB.E.S., Inc. recently honored a beautiful young military family. Dad was deployed and not only did Mom worry about him, she had the responsibility of single parenting. She knew that she needed help and reached out to B.A.B.E.S, Inc. The family spoke highly of the help and respite care they received. It really made a difference in their lives.

Over the last year, I helped plan and execute B.A.E.B.E.S, Inc, biggest fundraiser of the year, HAT’S OFF to BABES 2018, Lip Sync Challenge 3.0 which took place last week. We had a great turnout and 5 fabulous teams helping to raise money through their Lip Sync teams. I encourage you to get involved, either with a team for next year, volunteering, or as a parent who needs some time away from their little ones.

Often times, parents don’t know where to go or how to ask for help. We are so blessed to have a non profit free organization such as B.A.B.E.S, Inc. in our community. Please don’t be afraid to ask for help.